Taiwan finds concerns grow and options shrink as mainland China increases patrols around Taipei-controlled Quemoy

In Taipei, the increased frequency of patrols concerns lawmakers – some want Beijing’s missions addressed to avoid becoming the ‘new normal’

Taiwan’s authorities may have limited options in enforcing rules, with tougher action potentially escalating into unintended cross-strait conflict, say analysts

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A Chinese Coast Guard vessel is pictured in the waters of Quemoy on May 9. That day, Taiwan said dozens of Chinese warplanes and ships had been detected, less than two weeks before the island’s presidential inauguration. Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard/AFP

Published: 9:00am, 11 May 2024Updated: 9:05am, 11 May 2024

The increased presence of mainland Chinese coastguard ships patrolling the waters around Taiwan-controlled Quemoy has left Taipei with a dilemma regarding the most appropriate steps to assert its claim.

Under Taiwan’s rules of engagement and “first strike” policy, relevant authorities are authorised to target and, in serious cases, open fire on vessels persistently violating warnings by remaining within the waters of Quemoy, a Taiwanese defence outpost also known as Kinmen.

However, analysts caution that the island’s authorities have limited options in enforcing these rules, as tougher actions could escalate into unintended cross-strait conflict, a scenario even the United States seeks to avoid.

Since late February, the mainland coastguard has deployed several dozen ships in at least nine missions to patrol the waters surrounding Quemoy and Matsu, another of Taiwan’s defence outposts.

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Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit

These patrols, which were previously rare, were prompted by an incident on February 14 in which two mainland Chinese fishermen died during a pursuit by the Taiwanese coastguard after their boat entered the prohibited waters of the Quemoy archipelago. Beijing and Taipei exchanged accusations over who was responsible for the fishermen’s deaths.